European Commission's Joint Research Centre

Type of contract: Member of the European Commission’s contract staff, Function Group IV (article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants)
Duration of contract: 36 months (renewable up to maximum 6 years)
Area: Research and Development
Place of employment: Geel (BE)
Indicative basic salary: 3943,39 - 5711,77 € (applicable as of 1st of January 2024) For more detailed information please consult: Working Conditions

WE ARE:

• The Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides independent, evidence-based knowledge and
  science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society. 
• The current vacancy is with Unit G.II.5 of Directorate G of the JRC.
• The mission of the JRC’s Directorate G - Nuclear Safety and Security is the implementation of the JRC Euratom Research and Training Programme, the JRC Nuclear Strategy and the maintenance and dissemination of nuclear competences in Europe to serve both ''nuclear'' and ''non-nuclear'' EU Member States. A strong cooperation and complementarity with their national organisations is of key relevance. JRC Directorate G supports the relevant policy DGs with independent, technical and scientific evidence in the areas of nuclear safety, security, safeguards and nuclear science applications. Directorate G also ensures the role of the JRC as an active key partner in nuclear international networks and collaborates with international organisations and prominent Academia and Research Institutes.
• Unit G.II.5 provides high-quality reference nuclear data, measurement standards, sciencebased policy advice and training in support of EU policies for nuclear safety, security and safeguards. The unit cooperates closely with its stakeholders to maximise the benefits of deliverables, competences and research infrastructure: two accelerator-based neutron facilities, an underground laboratory, radionuclide metrology and nuclear reference materials laboratories. The unit offers open data and open access to its research infrastructure.
• The job holder will prepare nuclear targets (mainly thin layer samples on thin foils) for nuclear data measurements at the JRC’s, Member States’ and international accelerator sites. The job holder will support studies aiming at improving the radiochemistry of the starting actinide material for nuclear target preparation and studies for advanced preparation and characterisation techniques. 

We offer:

• An attractive, dynamic, international work environment at the forefront of nuclear science and development in a world-renowned laboratory in its field.
• You will have frequent interactions with European and international stakeholders and will find the job an asset for a further professional career.
• The job environment offers a unique opportunity to support EU policies in a family-friendly working environment.
  Please see also Working at the Commission – conditions and environment (europa.eu)

WE PROPOSE:

• The job holder will support the scientific work program of the JRC in nuclear safety by providing nuclear targets for nuclear data measurements. He/she will work in the JRCG.II.5 nuclear target laboratory developing, preparing, and characterizing thin homogeneous layers of enriched stable and nuclear material and other samples for the measurement of physical quantities critical for nuclear safety of current and advanced nuclear systems and for nuclear waste management.
• The job holder will carry out the corresponding scientific and technical projects involving radiochemistry, thin film deposit preparation and characterisation. All handling is done in fume cupboards and glove boxes in a nuclear controlled area.
• The job holder will perform the work in close consultation with the team and the unit, serving the interests of the JRC and the JRC’s stakeholders.
• The job holder will be responsible for project planning and hands-on implementation in the laboratory of the production and characterisation of nuclear targets.
• The job holder will write technical reports and scientific publications and support the unit’s integrated quality system.
• The job holder will go through targeted training, either following courses or on the job, to develop the skills that are missing.
• The successful candidate will have the potential to provide effective support to the JRC after one year of training and to support the full needs given in the job description within two years.

WE LOOK FOR:

• We are looking for a well-motivated, dynamic, result-oriented scientist with a university diploma in chemistry, preferably in the field of inorganic or analytical chemistry with experience with work in a chemistry laboratory (less than one year is sufficient).
• A PhD degree is desirable. Experience with and knowledge of laboratory practices in a (nuclear) chemistry laboratory is desirable.
• Particularly, experience with work in a fume cupboard, work in a glove box, dissolution of powders, purification of solutions and thin film preparation by chemical and physical vapour deposition methods is an advantage.
• Further knowledge of characterisation techniques like accurate weighing, alpha-, gammaspectrometry, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy etc. is favourable.
• The ability to learn and develop quickly is an important asset.
• The working language is English, requiring mastering the language at level B2.
• The job holder will need to apply for security clearance.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are already on a valid CAST FG IV reserve list, or you have already applied to one of the calls below, you can directly submit your application at http://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?type=AX.

If not, before applying to this position, you must register for one of the two following:

• the Call for Expressions of Interest | EU Careers (europa.eu) (CAST Permanent FG II/III/IV), which is used by a wide range of organisations (institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union), or
• the specialised call for researchers (JRC Call COM/1/2015/GFIV – Research), which is mainly used by the JRC.

Note that each of the calls above has different minimum eligibility requirements and different selection tests.

The JRC cultivates a workplace based on respect for other people and the environment, and embraces non-discriminatory practices and equality of opportunity. In case of equal merit, preference will be given to the gender in minority.